The Chelsea High girls soccer team earned a 1-1 tie with Pope John High in a well played match Tuesday. The contest marked a repeat of the teams’ 1-1 score in their initial meeting earlier this season.
“We played a fantastic game with better passing, shooting and overall teamwork,” said CHS head coach Jen Gulko. “We had some great shots on the net, but Pope John’s goalie was strong and saved all but one.” Sophomore right forward Quinnee Valenzona scored the Chelsea goal.
“Zuleima Castillo and Loren Ramos played an excellent game, switching back and forth between stopper and center midfield,” said Gulko. “Captain Elsa Nu§ez played a great game at sweeper and Gabby Salazar had her best game so far in the goal.
The tie brings the Lady Red Devils’ record to 1-2-4 on the season. “This year’s team is really young,” said Gulko, “with many players who are brand new to the team and some who are even brand new to the game. We only have one senior this year, with 10 returnees and 12 new players, so the team will continue to grow together and improve. We’ve been training hard physically and working on soccer skills.
“The girls have done an excellent job coming together as a team to support one another,” added the coach. “We were awarded the state’s Sportsmanship Award and the team continues to strive to be good sports at all times.”
The captains for the 2010 Lady Red Devils are Elsa Nu§ez and Angelica Landaverde, though Angelica is not playing because of knee surgeries from an injury last year.
Chelsea tied its first three games against Northeast (1-1 on a goal by Sarah Borouis); Pope John (1-1 on a goal by Cinthia Lopez); and Minuteman Tech (0-0).
Two tough losses to PMA (6-0) and Greater Lowell (5-0) sandwiched a 2-0 win over Lynn Tech on goals by Zehra Mirzai and Lopez.
Gulko and her crew were set to host Mystic Valley today (Wednesday) and will travel to Minuteman Friday and to North Shore Tech next Tuesday.